Japanese word

でも

Pronunciation

Romajidemo

Meaning

  • conjunctionbut

Example

でも、今日は休みです。de mo kyō wa yasu mi de su

But today is a day off.

Illustration for でも (but)

More examples

今日は忙しいです。でも、少しなら手伝えます。kyō wa isoga shi i de su de mo suko shi na ra te tsuda e ma su

I am busy today, but I can help a little.

Core concept

でも (demo) keeps the previous point in view while shifting the conversation toward a different or opposing point.

Similar words

しかしshikashi: Introduces a contrasting point in a relatively formal style.
だがdaga: Presents an opposing point in a formal style.
けれどもkeredomo: Connects a statement to an opposing or limiting point in a relatively polite style.
ところがtokoroga: Introduces an unexpected turn or result after a preceding statement.

Definition in Japanese

ある内容を受け入れたうえで、反対や対照を示す内容を導く語。a ru nai yō o u ke i re ta u e de han tai ya tai shō o shime su nai yō o michibi ku go

Word origin

でも (demo) combines で (de), the continuative form of だ (da, "to be"), with も (mo, "also" or "even"); the combination developed the contrastive sense of "even so."

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, でも (demo) can begin a new sentence to introduce a contrast, whereas English but usually links clauses within one sentence.

Word lists with this word